Reading tables

ABSTRACT

A reading table arranged for support on a bed, chair or the floor including a table top mounted for lateral shifting motion as well as changed inclination relative to upright legs and supporting feet, each of the latter being arranged for adjustment to vary the disposition of the table top and to enable collapse into a storage position wherein the top, legs and feet reside in adjacent parallel planes.

United States Patent Weir [54] READING TABLES [72] Inventor: Stanley M. Weir, 1717 Woodland Avenue, Palo Alto, Calif. 92668 [22] Filed: Oct. 21, 1968 [21] Appl. No.: 769,347

[52} US. Cl ..l08/6, 108/49 [51] Int. Cl. "A47! 5/12 [58] Field of Search ..108/4-8, 43 50; 297/135, 144, 138; 248/441, 444, 226, 445

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 951,145 3/1910 McGenniss ..l08/43 X 1,035,290 8/1912 Wood ..248/444 1,232,757 7/1917 Berkley ..108/46 1,797,847 3/1931 Vandagriff ..108/49 1,862,237 6/1932 Pepler ..108/49 [151 3,698,328 [451 Oct. 17,1972

2,193,907 3/1940 Love ..248/445 2,480,233 8/1949 Fuller 108/4 2,692,806 10/1954 Grace ..l08/93 X 2,908,465 10/1959 Lykes ..248/445 X 3,167,036 l/1965 Brossard ..108/4 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. Finch Attorney-Paul B. Pike [5 7] ABSTRACT A reading table arranged for support on a bed, chair or the floor including a table top mounted for lateral shifting motion as well as changed inclination relative to upright legs and supporting feet, each of the latter being arranged for adjustment to vary the disposition of the table top and to enable collapse into a storage position wherein the top, legs and feet reside in adjacent parallel planes.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] "R 17 I97? 3 6 9'8, 328

SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR.

XWN- um P'A'TE'NTEDum 1 71912 3,698 328 sum 3 nr 4 INVENTOR.

M ll/L PAIENTEDum 17 I972 3 6 98 328 SHEET '4 [1F 4 1 N VEN TOR.

READING TABLES This invention relates to a table for facilitating reading of books, magazines and other reading matter. The table may also serve any other purpose for which it is found useful.

One important objective of the present invention is to permit placement of a book at any convient height for reading.

Another object of importance is to permit placement of a book at any desired inclination for reading.

Another object of importance is to provide means for moving a book sideways so that either page of an open book may be placed in front of the reader.

Another object of importance is to permit a book to be placed at any convient distance from the reader.

Another object of importance is to provide holddown straps for holding a book open on a table top, yet permit easy turning of pages even when a book strapped on the table top is turned up-side-down.

Another object of importance is to provide means for giving stability to the table.

Another object of importance is to provide a table that is light weight and may be folded into a compact bundle to facilitate portability and storage.

Other objects of importance will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views and wherein FIGS. 1 thru 10 show two different models of the subject invention. Model No. 1, illustrated by FIGS. 1 thru 7 has feet designed to rest on a chair, couch or a bed. Model No. 2, illustrated by FIGS. 8 thru 10, has feet which rest on the floor.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of model No. 1 reading table when used by a person reading while sitting in a chair.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of model No. 1 reading table when used by a person reading while lying down in a bed.

FIG. 3 is a top view of model No. 1 reading table used by a person reading while sitting in a chair.

FIG. 4 is aside elevational view of model No. 1 reading table showing component parts in detail.

FIG. 5 is a front crossection view of model No. 1 reading table taken substantially along line A-A of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show model No. 1 table when foldedu FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of model No. 1 reading table.

FIG. 9 is a top view of model No. 2 reading table.

FIG. 10 shows model No. 2 table when folded-up. Model No. 1 Reading Table As illustrated by FIGS. 1 through 7 model No. 1 table may be constructed as follows:

The table top 1 may be formed from a single rectangular sheet of masonite and two top edge molding pieces 2 that are fastened to parallel edges running the length of the table top. The molding forms a book retainer ridge that prevents books and other reading matter placed on the table top from sliding off when the table top is inclined. Moldings 2 each have two grooves 3 and 4 running their length. Table top 1 is fastened snugly in molding groove 3, said molding thereby providing rigidity against table top warp. Slide grooves 4 fit over the parallel edges of retangular shaped topsupport plate 5 which may be made of a thin sheet of masonite. When the table top is manually pushed at either end, it moves sideways in one direction or the other, grooves 4 of the top molding pieces sliding over the edges of plate 5. The top support plate 5 is strapped by U-shaped straps 6 to plate support tube7. Rivets may be used to fasten straps 6 to plate 5 and tube 7. Tube 7 is supported at its ends by two connector-joints 8. A connector-joint 8, which may be made of wood in the shape illustrated, has three holes drilled in it; a leg hole 9 for holding one end of a table leg, a recess hole 10 for holding one end of tube 7, and a center hole 11 which is a small hole at the center of recess hole 10 that passes entirely through connector-joint 8. Passing through the center of center holes 11 and tube 7 is squeez-rod l2. Squeeze-rod 12 is fastened at one end to knob 13 and at its other end screws into T-nut 14 whenever knob 13 is turned in a clockwise direction. T-nut 14 is fastened to one of the two connector-joints 7 and extends into center hole 11. Through center hole 11 of the companion connector-joint 8 passes spueez rod 12. When knob 13 is turned in a clockwise direction, ends of tube 7 are pressed tight against. the bottom of recess holes 10, preventing tube 7 from pivoting in recess holes, thereby fixing the angle of inclination of the table top. When knob 13 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, pressure along the circumferances of ends of tube 7 are reduced permitting tube 7 to be pivoted in recess holes 10 thereby allowing table top 1 to be manually set at different angles of inclination.

There are two telescoping table legs 15 which are made of tubing. Each leg has an upper member 16 into which the lower member 17 telescopes. The upper leg member 16 is a straight piece of tubing whereas the lower leg member 17 is bent around a radius to form an angle. The upper end of a leg member 16 is held snugly by a leg hole 9 in connector-joint 8 and its lower end is threaded onto which is screwed a knurled collet lock nut 18. When nut 18 is turned in a clockwise direction it tightens down on lower leg member 17 making leg 15 rigid, that is preventing leg member 17 from telescoping inside leg member 16. When nut 18 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, its locking action is broken and leg member 17 may telescope inside leg member 16 to permit adjustment of the length of the leg and hence the height of table top 1.

The lower ends of angle-shaped leg members 17 fit in the arch-shaped space formed by the joining of foot caps 19 with foot runners 20. Foot cap 19 may be a section cut from a wooden molding that has an arched shaped groove running its length. Foot runner 20 may also be a section cut from beveled or wedge shaped molding. At the lower ends of leg members 17 are plug buttons 21. Feet 22 are free to rotate about the lower end of tubular leg members 17. When a person is reading while sitting in a chair, he may tuck feet 22 under his legs to give stability to the table, especially if the table is placed far away from the reader causing table legs to be cantilevered out from the chair seat as illustrated by FIG. 1. Also when reading in bed feet 22 may be tucked under the sides of the reader to give added table stability.

Model No. 1 table may be quickly and compactly folded up as illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7 for carrying and storage.

Model No. 2 Reading Table Model No. 2 reading table illustrated by FIGS. 8 thru 11 is the same in many respects to Model No. 1 reading table. Essentially the same as described and illustrated for model No. l are table top 1, top edge moldings 2, top support plate 5, U-shaped straps 6, top plate support tube 7, connector-joints 8, squeez rod 12, and knob 13. Model No. 2 differs from model No. l principally in that the table top cantilevers over the reader and table feet are designed to rest on the floor rather than on a chair seat or bed.

As illustrated by FIGS. 8 thru 10, model No. 2 uses only one rather than two connector-joints 8 at ends of plate support tube 7. Substituted for one connectorjoint is a tube cap 23. Tube cap 23 which may be made of wood, has two holes drilled in it; a recess hole 10 and a center hole 11 that passes entirely through tube cap 23. A T-nut 14 is fastened to and extends into center hole 11 of tube cap 23. When knob 13 is turned in a clockwise direction, ends of tube 7 are pressed tight against the bottom of recess holes 10 preventing tube 7 from pivoting in connector-joint 8 and tube cap 23 recess holes, the pressure of tube 7 against connectorjoint recess hole thereby fixing the angle of inclination of the table top. When knob 13 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, pressure along the circumferences of ends of tube 7 are reduced permitting tube 7 to be pivoted in recess holes 10, thereby allowing table top 1 to be manually set at different angles of inclination.

There is one telescoping table top support leg 15 which may be made of tubing. This leg has an upper member 16 into which telescopes into lower member 17. The upper end of leg member 16 is held snugly by leg hole 9 in connector-joint 8. The upper leg member 16 is a straight piece of tubing, whereas the lower leg member is bent around a radius to form an angle. The upper end of leg member 17 is threaded, and onto it is screwed a knurled collet lock nut 18. When nut 18 is turned in a clockwise direction it tightens down on upper leg member 16 making leg 15 rigid, that is preventing leg member 16 from telescoping inside leg member 17. When nut 18 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, its locking action is broken and leg member 16 may telescope inside leg member 17 to permit adjustment of the length of leg 15 and hence the height of table top 1.

The lower bent portion of angle-shaped leg member 17 forms a foot 24 that rests on the floor becoming one of two model No. 2 table feet. The other foot may be a straight piece of tubing 25 running in a direction perpendicular to foot 24. At open ends of feet tubes 24 and 25 are tube tips 26 which provide three point table support contact with the floor. Foot tube 25 is connected to leg member 17 by foot connector tube 27. Foot connector tube 27 is bent to form a right angle and is rigidly connected to foot tube 25 and pivotally connected to leg member 17.

Model No. 2 table may be quickly and compactly folded-up as illustrated by FIG. 10.

Bookholding Straps Straps 28 are used for holding a book or other reading matter down on table top 1. Normally two straps would be used, one each placed across lower book corners as illustrated. However if a book is to be read when turned up-side-down, three straps may be used. The third strap holds the center of an open book to the table top. A strap 28 consists of two hooks 29 fastened one to each end of the strap, a spring 30 and a cord 31. The hooks 29 are hooked over the edges of table top 1 and spring 30 furnishes the stretch necessary to accomodate books of varying thickness.

To turn pages, the reader lifts up on the upper corner of the right-hand page. This causes the lower corner of the page to slide out from under the right-hand strap stretched across the lower right-hand corner of the book. The page is turned and this corner is slid under the left-hand strap stretched across the lower left-hand corner of the book. If the page corner will not slide under the left-hand strap, the strap is lifted by the left hand as the right hand slides the corner of the page under it.

The above described reading tables and bookholding straps facilitate reading by making it unnecessary to hold a book while reading whether the reader is sitting up or lying down and provides the flexibility required to rapidly position a book as eyes move from top of page to bottom and from one page to the next. As a reader reads from top of page to bottom, the top may first be brought closer to the eyes by tilting the upper portion of the table top closer to the eyes. As the eyes move toward the bottom of the page, the lower portion of the page may be brought closer by tilting the table top in the opposite direction. This action is facilitated by knob 13 which may be turned to a setting just tight enough to provide the right amount of tube 7 to recess hole 10 friction or pressure required to permit changing of the table top inclination, yet hold it in the position set. When a reader moves from one page to another, the top may be quickly slid sideways to bring a new page into convient reading position. Pages are easily turned.

Reading tables of which I have a knowledge do not provide the combination of features described above for facilitating reading, and permiting the table to be folded-up for portability.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use described above since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change.

What is claimed is:

1. A reading table which comprises a table top,

a support plate carrying said table top for slidable adjustment thereon,

a pair of legs,

means including a support tube interconnecting said support plate and said legs for relative pivotal adjustment about the axis of said support tube to enable variation of the dispositions of said legs and said table top between an inoperative storage disposition with said legs and said table top in adjacent substantially parallel planes and an operative disposition with said legs projecting away from the plane of said table top, and

feet pivotally mounted at the remote ends of said legs for adjustment into a plane parallel to the plane of said table top.

2. A reading table according to claim 1 which comprises a pair of edge molding pieces, each molding piece having parallel-extending spaced upper and lower grooves,

said table top having opposed parallel extending edges secured fixedly in said upper grooves,

said support plate having opposed parallel extending edges slidably received in said lower grooves.

3. A reading table according to claim 1 which comprises means for releasably locking said support tube in adjusted disposition. 

1. A reading table which comprises a table top, a support plate carrying said table top for slidable adjustment thereon, a pair of legs, means including a support tube interconnecting said support plate and said legs for relative pivotal adjustment about the axis of said support tube to enable variation of the dispositions of said legs and said table top between an inoperative storage disposition with said legs and said table top in adjacent substantially parallel planes and an operative disposition with said legs projecting away from the plane of said table top, and feet pivotally mounted at the remote ends of said legs for adjustment into a plane parallel to the plane of said table top.
 2. A reading table according to claim 1 which comprises a pair of edge molding pieces, each molding piece having parallel-extending spaced upper and lower grooves, said table top having opposed parallel extending edges secured fixedly in said upper grooves, said support plate having opposed parallel extending edges slidably received in said lower grooves.
 3. A reading table according to claim 1 which comprises means for releasably locking said support tube in adjusted disposition.
 4. A reading table according to claim 3 wherein said locking means also releasably locks said legs in adjusted disposition.
 5. A reading table according to claim 1 wherein said legs include telescopic upper and lower members arranged for axial and rotative adjustment.
 6. A reading table according to claim 5 which comprises means for releasably locking said leg members in adjusted positions. 